The Osceola times., 1887-09-10


travelled this way unless their destina.
ton was the Miles farmhouse. There
were no houses to pass if except low
school-house in a grove of pines, and
weather-beaten barn far afield. The
moon was almost at its full. and was
high in the eastern sky, lighting up the
whole landscape, bringing out every
object clear cut and distinct against
tho glistening snow. No sounds met
the ear save the muffled flow of a tiny
brook beneath its icy covering. and a
soughing noise from the ancient pines
as the east wind blew through their tall
tops.
II saw no living object far or near
except a black cat prowling over the
trackless snow making her way to-
ward the old brown barn, until almost
opposite the old scool-house. when my
horse SHE'D suddenly, jumping to the
roadside, and seeming terrified. Look
ing toward the building to learn, if
possible, the cause of such an outbreak
in my Normandy pony, usually so true,
l saw the form of a man leaning
against the low door; his face was
toward me, and as the moonlight fell
upon it ! was sure l recognized the son
OF widow who lived half a mile down
the rivera worthy woman, loved and
honored by her neighbors; but this son
was rover. There had been ugly
stories whispered concerning him, as
villagers gathered around the fires at
the wayside inn on winter nights,
stories that were hushed only OH ac-
count of his mother. 1t had been hint
ed that he belonged to gang of bur-
glars that infested the valley, aud
several daring deeds of house, breaking
had been laid by suspicion at his door,
These reports came to my mind as he
stood motionless in the shadow of the
schOol-house. Once | fancied that he
moved as though he would spring to-
ward me. 1t might have been the
shadow of the tree behind him as the
wintry wind blew through its branches.
The loneliness of the place, coupled
with the reputation the man bore,
struck me like n chill, and seizing my
long whip touched my pony, and we
were off like the thistle down.
''Soon after, turning sharp corner
We came in sight of the farmhouse
lights, and driving around to the side
porch were met by Farmer Miles who
took my horse, bidding me hasten with
out delay. | entered the living room
or kitchen, where some maids were
busy at their evening work, and the
hired men were eating their supper. ]
only paused 20 lay aside my outer
wraps, then followed my guide across
a broad hall to large room on the
south side of the house where found
my patient tossing on bed of delirium.
and went TO work Immediately to find
relief for her. A few moments after
my entrance. noticed large dog,
lying couched at the foot of the bed,
just in my path as went from the table
to the bedside, and making it neccs-
sary for the attendants to go around or
step over the intruder. Of the species
known as the st. Bernard, he was the
largest had ever seen. His face was
wonderfully intelligent, his fur black
as jet, and glossy as satin. with barely
one mark of white, a well defined cross
in his forehead. l fell in love with the
animal. while | wondered why the
huge fellow was permitted to lie di-
rectly in the way, or even admitted at
all to the sick chamber.
"I remained until my patient was
quiet. and my last glance as | left the
room was ut the great dog, still lying
in the same attitude by the bedside
1t was past midnight when ] took the
lines from the farmers hand and be-
gan my homeward drive.
"Alonc on the highway found my
self wondering why Phil Smithson was
on that lonely road at that hour, and
if he were still there. The moon was
sinking toward the west, leaving part
of the landscape in shadow as ap-
preached again the school-house in the
grove of pines Looking sharply be-
tween the tall trees toward the build
ing, my heart seemed to leap to my
throat, for TO my nnbounded surprise
there stood the same man. in the same
position by the doorway. Il must be
deceived, it is Incredible said | to my
self, still gazing with intense interest
as | drove forward.
IL was not left long in doubt. for rs
reached n point directly opposite
from the door the man came with n
bound over the snow, shouting as he
did so: Halo! DOCTOR halloH and
snatched at the reins. Riding along so
much at the dead of night, | had
trained my thoroughbred Normandy so
that with one word. which she knew.
and peculiar pull at the reins, she
understood that she was to make her
topmost speed. The whole attitude,
voice and manner of Phil Smithson that
night looked ugly TO me. lie might
wish only ride to town-he might
have n pal or two secreted in the old
school-house beneath the pines. At all
events | was not in the mood Of taking
any thing on trust at midnight in that
desolatc spot with only the pines to tell
of what might happen there. SO !
grasped tightly my lines, spoke the
magic word and my faithful pony shot
forward just in time to escape the
.a,uo,,. b,nl nnon tho bit and bound-